Russia and Kazakhstan are expected to sign an agreement by the end of the year to create a Joint Regional Air Defence System between the two countries, according to reports on 11th July from the Russian press agency Itar-Tass.

The agreement will follow similar bilateral initiatives which Russia has concluded with Belarus, and which it is expected to soon conclude with Armenia.

Moscow’s strategic intention is to establish a combined ground-based air defence system which would provide coverage of the airspace of the Confederation of Independent States members in Europe, the Caucuses and Central Asia.